would you refuse this car (break rust)?

Status
Not open for further replies.
9

97tbird

Joined
May 9, 2003
Messages
9,290
Location
Fayetteville, NC
a friend of mine checked out a car for me, and test drove etc, and he noticed some surface rust on rotors and calipers. Other than that, the car checked out fine.
So I called the service dept manager and he says that on BMW cars that are not driven for a few weeks, surface rust is VERY common and with a few braking sessions, it will come right off...and due to the surface material that bmw uses on brakes they collect rust even when sitting still for a few weeks.

OK - even if that's true, what about the calipers?

here are the pics my friend took:
wheelDR.jpg

brakecorrosion2.jpg


What do you guys think ??
Thanks a lot IA.

I am trying to debate if I should refuse a car just due to this, when everything else checks out...
 
Absolutely true in my experience. All of our cars that sat on the lot had rust. One drive and all was fine.

ref
 
The rust on the rotors is not unusual,the rust at the caliper slide can be solved by putting some antiseize or caliper grease on the slides.
 
The guy who checked it our said it shook a bit when braked, but towards the end of the test drive the shaking almost vanished...so I guess what you guys and service mgr said is true...

What about the rust on the outside of calipers? is THAT worrisome? now that would not come off with driving, afaik.
 
Last edited:
The rust on the brake rotors will indeed come off in a few miles.

But I don't like the look of that rust on the caliper and would agree with QuattroPete about the snow belt.
 
My Saab will surface rust after sitting overnight sometimes...

After 60k the pads are 80-90%, but the rotors do have a slight lip...
 
I wouldn't worry about the rust/corrosion on the calipers. Mine look far worse after being replaced 3 years ago.

Check the rest of the car for corrosion. If it's there, it's places you can't see.
 
I've had cars develop rust on the rotors from sitting overnight. Don't give it a second thought, buy the Bayerischen Mist Wagen if it looks good otherwise.

BTW 97tbird, those things are spelled 'brakes'.
 
Rust on the rotors is no big deal. Spray some wheel cleaner on the wheels, rinse it off with a hose, and watch the rotors rust before your eyes.

Surface rust on the calipers is also not a big deal. Pull the wheels, clean the calipers, tape them off and repaint them. Easy!
 
Thanks for the replies, guys.
Going by the car fax, the car spent 2 yrs in California and 2 yrs in Chicago...that's where the car is now...
My buddy checked it out pretty good, but I didn't tell him to check for rust really...although he's pretty picky and would have noticed anything that's normally visible..like he saw the brake-rust.

I wonder if I should go down and take a look at it myself...
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Not a CPO.

I'd skip it. Just a personal preference, but I would not purchase a late model vehicle of any brand that is not CPO.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
I wonder if I should go down and take a look at it myself...


Go down where? You mean go UP to Chicago?

I don't know why you're trying to buy a car from several states away, and then on top of that, not getting something that is CPO.

Do you like punishment?
 
Just a quick look at the pics, but the rust that appears "on" the caliper, looks more as if it was just thrown up rust powder that has come off the rotor from your friend braking.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
01 Explorer - Rear pad with severe uneven wear
Replies
9
Views
3K
shoz123
K
  • Locked
Changed my brake fluid with ATE and ... WOW
2
Replies
26
Views
6K
ChrisW
5
  • Locked
I may have found myself a car...
Replies
18
Views
3K
55Test
A
  • Locked
My BITOG progressions
Replies
6
Views
2K
CBDFrontier06
F
  • Locked
Japanese car rust...
2
Replies
31
Views
16K
Mr Nice
Back
Top Bottom